Welcome to upside

Sustainability

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the most widely used sustainability reporting framework in the world, issued its fourth generation of guidelines in May 2013. These new guidelines (called “G4”) are the most significant update to the reporting framework since 2006. They emphasize identifying the most material sustainability issues for your organization and articulating how your organization manages these issues. Read More »

Shortly after our 2012 sustainability report was published in July 2013, the UPS sustainability report team gathered to debrief and plan for the following year. High fives were administered, too much sugar was consumed, and when it was all said and done, a questionable decision was made. With the new Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) “G4” guidelines hot off the press, we resolved to make every attempt to migrate directly to the most rigorous option available under the new framework, “In Accordance-Comprehensive.” The results of that 10 month effort will be published on July 30th, 2014. Read More »

This year marks the second annual National Mentoring Month, as proclaimed by President Barack Obama. The month was created to highlight the importance of mentoring and the positive impact it can have on youth. However, recent research has shown that mentorship can also play a role in the success of small business owners.

Starting a business can be challenging and oftentimes a new business owner may not know all the answers. For a small business owner, a close mentoring relationship provides the benefit of having a different experience or knowledge base to draw from. Mentors can help look at problems and situations from different perspectives and have expertise that can provide insight to people just starting out.

The theme of a Sustainability Report says a lot of about a company. It offers a clue about how the company positions sustainability externally and internally. It also signals how the company wants you, the reader, to review the contents.

Each autumn, the UPS sustainability report team extensively discusses the year’s strengths and weaknesses and begins to evaluate how that year is different from previous ones. How has the company’s sustainability program and commitments evolved? What are the gaps that were addressed? What is going on the marketplace that could affect the way our sustainability report contents will be judged?

Presented annually by the Corporate Eco Forum, the award recognizes exceptional, globally-significant private sector action that exemplifies the fundamental connection between sustainability, innovation and long-term business success in a globalizing world.

Tree-lined communities enjoy profound environmental and community benefits, including lower energy bills, cleaner air and water, increased property values, neighborhood beauty and civic pride. Partners like UPS are crucial to the Arbor Day Foundation’s effort to maintain urban forests and fulfill our mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees.

As the UPS Archivist, I spend a lot of time researching documents that reveal our history and the stories of our people.

So in my search through the UPS Archives – while looking for something else I might add – I came across this document from 1933 asking for the funds for three new “Gould Batteries for two ton Walker Electric Trucks.” These new batteries were to replace three “very old and almost useless” batteries in package cars that were serving in New York City at the time.

Every year just in time for the holiday season, Climate Counts prepares a shopping guide to help environmentally-conscious consumers support companies who “get it” in terms of climate change. To make it really convenient, the guide is now available on a free iPhone app as well as online.

One of my favorite parts of being on UPS’s “green team” is learning how our customers are embracing sustainability. Geiger is one of the nation’s leading promotional products companies that is deep into the peak buying season for corporate holiday gifts They tell me the hottest items this year are eco-friendly products featuring biodegradable and renewable materials, organic or recycled content, and energy-friendly and hand-powered items. And starting this month, all of their shipments will be sent UPS carbon neutral.